The affected products will have the following dates on the bottom of the can: 09/2011 to 06/2012.

Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

Consumers who have purchased canned cat food with these codes should discard it. For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. You may also find additional details about the recall in the FDA bulletin at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm214996.htm

If you purchased this item for someone else, please notify the recipient immediately and provide them with the information in the FDA bulletin concerning these safety issues.

The weekend of panther deaths in May began on a Friday, when a 4-year-old male was found run over on a stretch of U.S. 41 that cuts through Big Cypress National Preserve. On Saturday, a 5-year-old female was killed on U.S. 41 about a half-mile east of San Marco Road. On Sunday morning, an 8-month-old male kitten was run over on U.S. 41 near Manatee Road. The female killed this weekend had two 8-week-old kittens. Wildlife officials rate their chance of survival at “zero” unless they are found. So far this year, eight panthers have been run down.

U.S. 41 in Collier County is a road that has no special wildlife underpass passes through several state and national parks.

State transportation officials had planned to put in a special wildlife crossing on U.S. 41 to help panthers avoid cars on that stretch. The overall estimated cost of building the underpass would have been $8 million. Construction would include 2 miles of fencing to make sure the panthers used the underpass instead of crossing the pavement.

At public hearings on the plan in the fall, hunters and anglers who drive off-road vehicles to their wilderness camps via U.S. 41 objected to the fences because they would block easy access to the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Mattel Inc. on Tuesday recalled more than 172,000 Fisher-Price kitchen toys in the United States and Europe because several children choked and gagged on small, detachable parts.

The company has received 48 reports of small parts separating from these toys, which feature a sink, a refrigerator and a range. One child choked on a detached piece and needed the Heimlich maneuver performed to remove the part. One child started to choke and two children had pieces in their mouths and gagged.

“Small parts choking hazards with toys is one of the most serious dangers to children in the United States,” Scott Wolfson, Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman, said.

The recall involves 155,000 toys sold in the United States, according to the CPSC.

Mattel, the U.S.’s largest toy maker, issued two major recalls in August for lead-tainted toys and toys with small, powerful magnets that can cause intestinal perforations if swallowed. It issued another, smaller recall of lead-contaminated toys last month. All of the previously recalled toys were manufactured in China.

Fall in love with a senior pet during November! Even though Senior Pets have a shorter life expectancy after adoption, they can be truly rewarding pets. Senior pets are already housebroken and more often than not have a few tricks already up their paws! Adopting a senior pet gives them a few more wonderful years of life and a loyal and more mature appreciative companion if you are looking for a more mellow pet (sometimes!). Although senior pets require less exercise time than puppies, many can still give you a great workout!

Please look at your local shelters and adoption facilities and think of adopting a senior pet this November!

Veterinarians, shelter staff, law enforcement officials and volunteers now have their own ASPCA Professional Website at ASPCAPro.org The site has been created by professionals for professionals. Resources include tools for specialty areas such as adoptions, Canine Parvovirus, Feline Upper Respiratory Infections, Spaying and Neutering Surgeries, Shelter Medicine and Fundraising techniques.

ASPCAPro.org also contains information and how-to guides regarding ASPCA’s outreach programs as well as materials on marketing to educate the public on spay/neuter, animal cruelty, animal poison control and disaster readiness.